Those old H tractors would last about forever, if they were given reasonable maintenance, I know from experience. if you plan to do anything more than just drive it around in parades, I would strongly suggest adding some wheel weights. It will easily handle up to 3 sets, and at least in this part of the country they are pretty cheap. A good website for them is http://www.farmall-h.com/ , in addition to www.redpowermagazine, and the Farmall/Ih forum at ytmag.com

I just recently bought an engine for my H out of the scrapyard and am currently looking for an engine stand to mount it in preparation for its rebuild.

I guess this is a good time to ask the question I have: In reading Fay and Kraushaar's book "Farmall Letter Series Tractors", it stated that the engines were basically the same for all H's and 4 series tractors, with differences in governor settings and throttle linkages. Compression ratios were different for the high compression gasoline engines, the gasoline-distillate engine and the kerosene engine. The question - how do I know what kind of engine I have? The manifold I got with the tractor and the one that came with the engine are both broken, but I think they were dual fuel manifolds? In doing the rebuild, what information do I need to get the parts necessary for the engine? I'm sure there will be plenty more questions coming during this rebuild.

Joey, I believe there is a misprint in your statement. I believe it should have been H (or maybe Super H) and 3xx series. 4xxseries would have been similar to M, OR Super M. You can tell what type engine it is byt the engine serial number. If you will post it the letters at the end will tell you the type. You can use a gasoline only manifold on the distillate engine with no problem. But you will not be able to burn kerosene in it anymore.

John *.?-!.* cub owner wrote:Those old H tractors would last about forever, if they were given reasonable maintenance, I know from experience. if you plan to do anything more than just drive it around in parades, I would strongly suggest adding some wheel weights. It will easily handle up to 3 sets, and at least in this part of the country they are pretty cheap. A good website for them is http://www.farmall-h.com/ , in addition to http://www.redpowermagazine, and the Farmall/Ih forum at ytmag.com

You are so right the older stuff is so over built it will last forever if we just maintain it. I always wanted an "H" or "M" too maybe soon. Just look at the amount of castiron in these old tractors. Awesome looking "H" thanks for the pic.

I been buying up the tractors that i can afford right now with the idea of restoring each one to its orginal design. I been buying up parts a little at a time for them too. I'm in no rush but if things get bad $$ wise i already have the parts.

I'm doing a test right now comparing the newer briggs 8hp engine to my old 8hp briggs engine on my new log splitter. The old briggs with the alumimum cylinder lasted for over 25 years splitting 50 to 100 cords of fire wood each year. We ran it for 8 hours a day splitting non stop. I would change the oil at the end of every 8hour day. I sold that splitter and that motor is still running today. Now we will see how long this new overhead valve engine will last too. I don't really believe that newer is better but time will tell.

We over built stuff years ago and now we can cheapen it using the CAD systems. We can design it right to the edge of failing yet good enough to get by its expected service life. This is why we see so many problems in newer products because there under designed not over designed like they once were.

With that said do you think we will see in 50 or 70 years into the future the new tractors of today still running like the older IH / Farmall's are today? I really don't think so.

I started collecting older B&S, wisconsin and kolher castiron block engines so i can replace the newer stuff when it fails. I got a backup plan.

I'm technically misunderstood at times i guess its been this way my whole life so why should it change now.